Del. William Wivell

Maddy summaryHB 1153 modifies Maryland's estate tax by setting specific limits on the unified credit used to calculate tax liability for decedents dying before January 1, 2026. It caps the credit at $5 million for estates of people who died between 2019 and 2025, preventing increases tied to federal changes. This directly affects Maryland residents with estates exceeding these thresholds, as it determines whether estate tax applies. The bill maintains the credit calculation method but freezes the exemption amount at $5 million for the specified period, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1170 requires contractors to hold a Maryland Home Improvement Commission license to install residential solar power systems on homes. The bill amends existing law to explicitly include "installation of solar power systems equipment" under the definition of "home improvement," which previously required licensing for work like remodeling or deck construction. This directly affects solar installers who perform work on single-family residences or attached structures. The key mechanism is adding solar installation to the list of licensed home improvement activities, ensuring contractors meet state licensing standards. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1159 establishes a minimum 85% property and casualty insurance loss ratio requirement for insurers in Maryland. If an insurer's actual loss ratio falls below this threshold, they must refund policyholders a specific amount calculated by multiplying the insured's adjusted premium (after deducting taxes and fees) by the difference between 85% and their actual ratio. This bill directly affects all Maryland property and casualty insurance policyholders, requiring insurers to issue refunds when they fail to meet the 85% loss ratio standard. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1101 reduces Maryland's corporate income tax rate over time to lower tax burdens for businesses operating in the state. It phases in a gradual reduction, lowering the rate from 8.25% (effective 2025) to 7.75% (2026), 7.25% (2027), 6.75% (2028), and finally 6.25% (starting 2029). The bill directly affects corporations filing Maryland corporate income tax returns by changing their tax liability calculation. The rate changes apply to taxable income earned within Maryland, with the first reduced rate taking effect July 1, 2025. This is a straightforward tax rate adjustment with no additional provisions or program requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1008 prohibits Maryland state and local governments from imposing a vehicle-miles-traveled (VMT) tax, mileage-based user fees, or tolls based on GPS tracking. It also bans requiring private vehicle owners to install devices that track mileage for tax reporting. The bill specifically repeals provisions allowing VMT taxes and adds new restrictions in tax and transportation laws, effective October 2025. It does not affect existing reciprocal fuel tax agreements under current law. This directly impacts state/local authorities and private vehicle owners by preventing new mileage-based fees or tracking requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 766 amends Maryland's Wildlife Advisory Commission membership rules to require that the member representing the farming community be appointed from a list of candidates provided exclusively by the Maryland Farm Bureau. Previously, the Governor could solicit nominations from any farming community groups, but this bill specifies the Farm Bureau as the sole source for that seat. The bill does not change the total membership (10 members), the other representation categories (hunting, wildlife preservation, and passive recreation), or the academic researcher appointment. This change ensures the Farm Bureau directly influences the selection of its designated representative on the commission.

Maddy summaryHB 726 expands Maryland's homestead property tax credit to include more types of primary residences. It modifies the definition of "Additional Residence" to explicitly cover condominium units, cooperative apartment units, and non-traditional residential properties (such as parts of land used as a home) where the homeowner has a legal interest. This change directly affects homeowners living in these property types who previously might not have qualified for the tax credit. The bill alters the existing eligibility criteria in Maryland's tax code (Section 9-105) without creating new funding or programs. Homeowners in these qualifying properties would see reduced property tax burdens under the expanded credit.

Maddy summaryHB 548 restricts Maryland's Governor from deploying the state militia (including the National Guard) into "active duty combat" without specific congressional action. It prohibits such deployments unless the U.S. Congress has passed an official declaration of war (per Article I, Section 8, Clause 11) or taken a specific action under Clause 15 to "call forth" the militia for federal purposes. The bill explicitly preserves the Governor's authority to deploy the militia under Title 32 of U.S. law for domestic support, such as disaster response within Maryland. This directly affects the Governor's power to commit state military forces to overseas combat roles without federal congressional authorization.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Maryland's tax exemption for parts and equipment used to repair, maintain, or upgrade aircraft. It keeps the exemption in place for smaller planes under 12,500 pounds and larger planes used primarily in interstate or foreign commerce. The law removes the requirement for the state Comptroller to report annually on lost tax revenue and job changes related to the exemption. Additionally, it extends the exemption's expiration date from June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2030.